First Mission Aims for Top Form in Oaklawn Handicap

A quartet of high-caliber runners highlight the entries for the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 19 at Oaklawn Park. 

Overall, the field of eight older horses that includes four millionaires will vie for the $1.25 million purse, going 1 1/8 miles on the Hot Springs, Ark., oval.

The morning-line favorite (2-1) hasn't been to the winner's circle in almost a year, but if his recent works are any indication, he will be in peak form Saturday. First Mission  made his 2025 debut in the Feb. 23 Razorback Handicap (G3), finishing third to a pair of his rivals Saturday, falling short by a neck.

Trained by Brad Cox, the Godolphin homebred is 1-for-5 at the distance, but has been working better at five furlongs in recent weeks, including a move in 1:00 2/5 at Churchill Downs April 13.

"I think First Mission got a good bit out of that first race," Cox said. "He's trained really well since. We targeted this race since his last run there at Oaklawn, so I think he's set up for a big race."

Coming into the race off the high of victory in the Challenger Stakes (G3)—a race he's won three years running—at Tampa Bay Downs is Skippylongstocking . Saffie Joseph Jr.'s trainee made this year's Challenger the surest sign he is ready for the Oaklawn. After being unable to rally in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and crossing the wire sixth, he finished third in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) ahead of his Tampa Bay victory.

"I think he's coming in in good form," Joseph said. "I expect a good run, hopefully. I do think he likes to be forwardly placed. Hopefully, he breaks well from there and puts himself in a forward position. There's some speed in there that he can stalk if he needs to. If he broke well enough, he can lead, also."

If winning on familiar ground means anything, Skippylongstocking will be tough to beat. The eight-time graded stakes victor will try to defend his Oaklawn Handicap title, a race in which he posted a career-best 116 Equibase Speed Figure.

As exciting a finish as the Razorback provided, the chance for a repeat exists as the top two finishers of that race return for the Oaklawn. 

Alexander Helios , another Joseph trainee who won by a head over Banishing , comes into the Oaklawn Handicap running at his best. Including that milestone win—his first graded stakes triumph—the Cairo Prince   horse has hit the board in 11 consecutive starts and won three of his past four.

"Obviously, stepped up his game and ran well last time," Joseph said. "He beat Banishing, who came back to win the (Oaklawn Mile). He's in good form and he goes over there with a very good chance himself. We feel like we have two horses that are in good (form) and, hopefully, they run their best races on that day."

The runner-up in the Razorback, Banishing rebounded nicely a month later in winning the Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3). He's been just as hot as Alexander Helios, winning five of his past seven. Bred by Godolphin, the gelded son of Ghostzapper  changed trainers last summer, switching from the barn of Brendan Walsh to David Jacobson after being purchased by Larry Roman for $80,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale. These past two starts were his first at a mile or more since August of last year.

The third and fourth members of the millionaire club joining First Mission and Skippylongstocking are graded stakes winners Disarm  and Red Route One . Rounding out the field are Go West Go  and Tarantino .